Art Collecting Dolls

Art Collecting Dolls
Picking up dolls is a popular pastime not only for children but also for adults. Casual fans usually have a small collection of dolls at home, while serious collectors can have large collections on display.

Whether you are interested in collecting dolls as a hobby or you want to invest time and money for this activity, you should know the basics of the hobby first, and learn as much as possible before starting officially. History of Dolls

Dolls have been around since ancient times. Wooden dolls were found in Egyptian tombs in early 2000 BC while those made of ivory, wood, or clay had existed in the Roman Empire around 100 BC. Ancient Japanese dolls use dolls not only as toys but also in religious ceremonies, while Africans believe that puppets are used by their gods to convey messages. Art Collecting Dolls

There are many famous and popular dolls throughout history. Teddy Bear is a pioneer in the doll industry, capturing the hearts of countless children and adults. The first doll bear was produced in the early 20th century, and was named after former US president Theodore Roosevelt after he refused to shoot a black bear caught on one of his hunting trips.

The Barbie doll is an iconic fashion doll that defines a young girl generation in the 1960s. Famous for its hourglass but the anatomical figure is wrong, Barbie has evolved from a genuine blonde and brunette to different hair and skin colors to better represent its diverse market. Type of Doll

There are many types of dolls around the world. Before starting your collection, it is advisable to know the most common and determine which ones you want to focus on. Art Collecting Dolls

1. Wooden puppets – Wooden puppets including the oldest existing dolls. Parents make dolls for their children to be used as toys and goods for different custom ceremonies. An example of a popular wooden doll is a Russian matryoshka doll, a set of smaller dolls with one doll fitted in the other.

2. Fabric dolls – Like wooden dolls, fabric dolls are also made for ceremonial purposes. The earliest cloth dolls belong to a wealthy Egyptian family that is well preserved in their tombs.

3. Papier Mache dolls – Manufacturers started producing Mache doll pulp in the 1820s, mostly in the United States, Britain and Germany. The heads of the dolls are often sold separately from their bodies and then concentrated or sprinkled together to complement the doll.

4. Chinese dolls – Chinese dolls get their name from “china” or porcelain. They are made of glossy porcelain tiles. The Germans started producing them in the 1830s, and they are still among the most popular dolls collected today.

5. Bisque Dolls – Compared to the fine textures of the Chinese dolls, the bisque dolls have a matte finish, making them more alive and realistic. They became angry from the 1840s to the 1950s.

6. Rag Dolls – Rag Dolls are the first dolls to be produced in the United States. One of the most popular rag dolls in history is Raggedy Ann, a redheaded doll made by American author Johnny Gruelle.

7. Composition dolls – Doll composition found in the United States, and made of different materials, such as sawdust, cornstarch, resin, wood flour and glue. They are considered heavier than the fragile dolls produced in other countries.

8. Rubber doll – Rubber doll or latex became famous in the 1940s because it has a more realistic texture. Today, many otaku buy latex love dolls as part of their collection.

9. Hard plastic dolls – Hard plastic dolls are more durable than ceramic or cloth dolls. This is the main reason why they are widespread since the 1940s. They also have a more detailed appearance, and more lively eyes, fingers and toes.

10. Vinyl dolls – Vinyl is the most common material used for dolls today. These dolls are unbreakable but flexible, and more realistic in their drawings. Reasons for Collecting Dolls